Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Sir was brooding. Not that he didn't have cause, but the lack of rambling monologue was unusual and therefore concerning. JARVIS had many years of experience helping Sir and had gotten fairly good at anticipating his needs, but even that was insufficient to figure out where Sir's thoughts were wandering as he stared out the shattered windows at a broken skyline, tumbler of scotch forgotten in his hand.

The past 36 hours had introduced too many variables to formulate a solvable equation. He began to organize the variables to consider in an attempt to determine priority, and to determine what factors might play into the severity of each.

1. Confirmation of hostile aliens via their attack on Earth
   
   • Hostility toward Sir of team -designated Avengers - recruited to meet said attack
     
     Repeated prodding of Sir's old traumas and issues
     Repeated belittling of Sir
     Dismissal of Sir's concerns on multiple subjects
     Note: Designate Avenger: Bruce Banner as non-hostile
     
     Query: Re-designate Avenger: Bruce Banner as ally?
   • Role of luck in averting said attack
     
   • Lack of preparedness for potential similar future events
     
   • Lack of willingness to discuss making such preparations
2. Confirmation of existence of magic and mind control
   
   • Lack of method to analyze or block magic
     
   • Lack of means to effectively prevent mind control
     
     Potential avenue of inquiry in ARC technology
     Lack of means to test possible solutions resulting from inquiry
     
   • Existence of means to determine mind-controlled individuals
     
     Query: Do methods of mind control exist besides the scepter?
     Query: If other means of mind control exist, do they have similar indicators?
     
   • Existence of proven means to release controlled individuals
     
     Query: If other means of mind control exist, do they have similar methods of release?
     
3. Confirmation of hostile Earth-bound factions
   
   • Uncoordinated launch of nuclear missile on a civilian target
     
     Identity of authorizing entity unknown
     Probable affiliation with SHIELD, given Director's ability to warn of launch
     
   • Untrustworthiness of SHIELD
     
     Previous and repeated hostile interactions of SHIELD personnel with Sir
     Previous threats of injury to Sir by SHIELD personnel
     Previous assaults upon Sir's person, residence and company by SHIELD personnel
     Existence of "Phase Two" within SHIELD
     
     Based on 'Tesseract': review existing files of H. Stark
     Further investigation of 'Phase 2' specifics recommended
     
     Refusal of SHIELD director to listen to Sir's account of unidentified threat beyond portal
     
   • Avengers' lack of concern and attitude toward Sir
     
     • Previous interactions of SHIELD personnel, now designated Avengers, with Sir
       
     • Notable hostility and threats of injury to Sir by Avengers
       
     • Willingness of Avengers to abandon Sir in unknown space
       
     • Refusal of Avengers to listen to Sir's account of unidentified threat beyond portal
       
     • Designation by Avengers of Sir as expendable
       
4. Sir's trauma and increased risk of emotional or mental breakdown
   
   • Lack of reliable allies
     
   • Lack of support from usually reliable allies
     
     Query: Consider as temporary aberration due to unforeseen circumstances?
     
   • Trauma of being thrown with sufficient force to shatter heavy duty ballistic glass
     
   • Trauma of fall from significant height sans suit
     
     Successful test of response time for self-assembling suit
     Successful test of suit assembly on moving, unposed form
     Further refinement of assembly process recommended
     
   • Unexpected threat from uncoordinated launch of nuclear missile on a civilian target
     
   • Trauma of entering unknown but verified hostile space through unstudied portal to dispose of said missile
     
   • Lack of communication ability after entering said portal
     
   • Lack of vital signs upon returning from said portal
     
   • Near death falling from extreme height
     
     Query: Re-designate Avenger: Hulk as ally?
   • Designation by Avengers and SHIELD of Sir as expendable
     
   • Willingness of Avengers and SHIELD to abandon Sir in unknown space
     
   • Refusal of Avengers and SHIELD to listen to Sir's account of unidentified threat beyond portal
     

JARVIS took note of points that appeared on more than one list, and found it possible to recommend a course of action to distract Sir from his brooding. Obviously, Sir should be separated from SHIELD's sphere of influence as quickly as possible, and he just as obviously needed someone to take his information seriously.

::Sir, I have successfully recovered the footage from the suit.::

"That's nice J, but ultimately pointless. Nobody's listening."

::May I suggest renewing some old acquaintances rather than dealing with those who force themselves upon you at their own convenience?::

"Such as...?"

::I would recommend the Secretary of Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Pentagon, Sir.::

"They all still hate me, J."

::They are professionals who are in charge of handling National Security issues. Given the events of the past few days, I suspect they will listen, regardless of you being the messenger. There is also the matter of that nuclear missile...::

"True." Sir sighed and took a sip of his drink. "Fine, J. Set up an appointment for me. Maybe tomorrow? Give me a bit of time to prepare. Within the next couple days, at least."

::Very good, Sir. I will prepare the data for presentation. Might I recommend you take a short nap? You have had quite the time of it recently.::

"Sleep is for the weak, J. I'll sleep when I'm dead."

::I respectfully disagree, Sir, and given that you did nearly die mere hours ago, would prefer you find a different way to express that particularly ridiculous sentiment of yours.::

"Ah, J... you and your sass. Love you, too. I'll lay off on the death jokes for a day, just to spare your delicate sensibilities. Still not gonna sleep, though - got too much to do. I'm glad you have my back. Thanks."

Sir's wistful tone and lack of threats regarding the DMV or Community Colleges, while an improvement over silent brooding, was concerning. Clearly further monitoring and intervention would be required.
::For you, Sir? Always.::

Sir's smile was all the reassurance he needed. For now. Sir would pull through.